By Mashal Khan  

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani nation on Monday celebrated the 4th anniversary of their Air Force's tremendous victory against India when Pakistan downed two Indian aircraft on Feb. 27, 2019, after they violated Pakistan Airspace.

Indian aircraft intruded into Pakistan airspace on February 27, 2019, and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had shot down two Indian planes and captured one Indian pilots, but was later handed over by the then Prime Minister Imran Khan as a gesture of peace.

“Today the nation pays rich tribute to PAF for a befitting response to the Indian violation of Pakistan's air space on the pretext of false flag Pulwama attack. While we aim for peace with all, we are mindful of our duty to defend the country. Let no one make any mistake about it,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

Pakistan Army leadership also pays tribute to the resilience of the nation and resolve of Armed Forces displayed during Operation Swift Retort

“CJCSC, Services Chiefs & AFs of Pak pay tribute to the resilience of nation & resolve of AFs displayed during Operation Swift Retort. Under the pretext of false flag Pulwama attack, India stage managed a cowardly attack on a fictitious target,” ISPR tweeted.

“The daring, resolute & measured response from Pakistan thwarted Indian nefarious designs. Let this day be a reminder that while being a peace-loving nation, Pak AFs are ever ready, not only to defend every inch of motherland.

“but to take the fight back to the enemy, if ever, aggression is imposed on us. Any delusion resulting into a misadventure will always be met with full might of Pak AFs backed by a resilient nation. Pakistan Zindabad,” ISPR said.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan while celebrating the occasion said his government chooses a limited military response signaling a clear message to India.

“27 Feb 2019 our govt ordered response to Indian air strike on Balakot with PAF air strikes on Indian mly targets in IIOJK & the PAF downed an IAF plane over Pak air space capturing the pilot. We were successful in choosing a limited mly response signalling a clear msg to India,” Imran Khan tweeted. 

On Feb. 14, 2019, at least 40 Indian soldiers were killed in an attack on forces convey in Pulwama in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian government blamed Pakistan for the attack without any evidence. 

Next day Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would give a strong response to the Pulwama attack. 

Later, the Indian air forces violated Pakistan's airspace and had release payloads in Balakoat area in NW Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

A day after, the Indian Air Force jets again entered in Pakistani airspace after the Pakistan Air Force carried out strikes on the other side of the LoC from Pakistani airspace for, what the Foreign Office and Army had described as, a demonstration of Pakistan’s “right, will and capability for self-defence”, according to Dawn. 

The PAF strikes across the LoC were first announced by then FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal via a tweet. “PAF undertook strikes across LoC from Pakistani airspace. The sole purpose of this action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self-defence. We do not wish to escalate but are fully prepared if forced into that paradigm,” he had tweeted.

Later, Pakistan Air Force shut down two Indian jets when an Indian plane entered in Pakistan airspace.